Chet Roscow is finally feeling at home in Elm Hills, New Jersey. He has a job with his uncle Jerry at the local diner, three great friends, and the perfect summertime destination: cool, refreshing Matawan Creek.
But Chet's summer is interrupted by shocking news. A great white shark has been attacking swimmers along the Jersey shore, not far from Elm Hills. Everyone in town is talking about it. So when Chet sees something in the creek, he's sure it's his imagination...until he comes face-to-face with a bloodthirsty shark!
Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series takes on vivid new life in full-color graphic novel editions. Perfect for readers who prefer the graphic novel format, or for existing fans of the I Survived chapter book series, these graphic novels combine historical facts with high-action storytelling that's sure to keep any reader turning the pages.
the story is the same, so i suppose i don't have much actual reviewing work to do here, but i do want to say a few words about uncle jerry.
where to begin with uncle jerry's life lessons?
A shark will not attack a human. It’s a proven fact.
survey!
says!
wrong!
That pie over there is more likely to attack you than a shark.
wait, this pie?
this pie?
THIS PIE, JERRY???
uncle jerry may have meant that the pie would be more likely to attack monty than it would be to attack a shark, which seems to bear out—i could find NO images on internet of a shark being hit in the face with a pie, but i DID find an instance of a pie attacking monty:
however, i do not think that the advice about how to defeat the cowardly shark, should you encounter one in the ocean, is sound.
rabbits can actually be quite bold
and if there's one thing "monty" knows by now, it's that rabbits can also be deadly
look, the only uncle jerry i know is this guy
and he is NOT trustworthy.
but go ahead, ignore my warnings, listen to uncle jerry, have a great time in the water.
just don't come crying to aunty karen when the shark hits the fin. <--- nailed it.
if you learn one thing today, let it be the fact that sharks are just as drawn to vomit as they are to blood.
so unless you want one of these giving you an 'oh, hai'
keep all your fluids inside the moving vehicle of you.
The graphic novel adaptations of the I Survived series are very well done. They bring author Lauren Tarshis' historical fiction stories of young people showing great strength and courage in the midst of disasters and times of turmoil to life with full-color panels, drawing the reader into the action and deeper into the emotions of the characters.
I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 follows newcomer Chet and his buddies in their small New Jersey town in the summer of 1916, when sharks attacked people along the Jersey Shore and in creeks of Matawan, New Jersey. Although death is mentioned, the events in the novel aren't too scary or too graphic for early and middle-grade readers (grade 3 and up, in my opinion). Reading this graphic novel is an engrossing way to experience a slice of life in the past, especially during a historical event. Plus, there is great information after the story about the event—showing photos of the real people mentioned in the book, and those that characters may be based on as well. - Diana F.
A quick and simple read, I realize it's written for kids, but enjoyable. While it's simply told, I did learn the basics of this event in history I'd never heard of. I must admit the art was not my favorite, but it's passable. I like that it has the facts of what really happened at the end. I think kids in 3rd-5th grade could really like this. Watch out, there's blood.
2020 challenge: a book about something you know nothing about
The book itself is fine however this gets a two star rating because nowhere does it clearify that this is historical FICTION. The closest thing you get is the words "based on the 1916 Attacks." This in and of itself isn't too bad but when you couple it with the way the shark is depicted it becomes even worse. Despite attempts to preach about the misunderstanding in the back notes, the story itself portrays the animal like the typical Hollywood shark. It's behavior is not indicative of a real shark, even go so far as attempting to wiggle onto land to continue attacking a young boy.
So...yeah. the story itself is fine. The dialogue and narrative is actually quite good for a young adult title. It's a fine book otherwise. But when you are writing a book to present children with historical events, accuracy is important, and so is full disclosure on.the authenticity of your story.
"I like that Chet warned his friends that there was a shark in the creek they were swimming in. He saves their lives by warning them but sadly he had part of his own leg chewed off." -Cadee, age 9
Reflections and lessons learned: “The creek is completely quiet…”
I bought this book in the haze of unusual Friday afternoon heat, with a front cover image fear that will be innate in so many of us for no rational reason 🦈. I knew nothing about the context and guessed along with a school teacher that maybe it was in Florida or California - I didn’t even know that the cover claim was real, but yes, sharks did come into the New Jersey shore, the watery playground for so many youngsters. A pleasant but unpleasant update on the boy who cried wolf… definitely one to teach and softly scare my kids with!
Sharks. This was a lot of fun to read, but there was enough suspense to be unsettling. While reading it , I kept imagining I was hearing the theme from Jaws.
Okay read. I've since gone back and read the original novel and found the original to be a less sensationalized account. The artwork in this is too over-the-top.
The incorporation of historical facts into a fictionalized story was interesting. Tarshis gives Chet a whole backstory and his own struggles outside the shark storyline, which makes for a fulfilling read. The reader can relate and sympathize with his struggle to make friends having moved so many times.
At the end is a section of additional information about sharks and the historic attacks of 1916, including a timeline of events, types of sharks, and facts about shark encounters.
The backmatter and the story itself seem to be of two minds. The story depicts sharks as blood-thirsty monsters, all teeth and "killer eyes", who will go above and beyond for the kill. This is intensified by the sensationalized artwork featuring a massive great white attacking close to shore with bloody teeth, even trying to wriggle onto land for a bite. It captures the mindset of the time period as the 1916 attacks disproved the previously held belief that sharks would not attack humans and, if they did, they couldn't do much damage. However, it doesn't align with what's known about the actual encounters. Thought it's unknown for certain whether it was a great white or a bull shark, the great white that was suspected was young and half the size of an adult great white. The huge shark featured in the artwork plays up the scariness of sharks at the expense of historical accuracy, enforcing the idea of vicious monster sharks specifically hunting humans.
The backmatter takes a more modern approach, detailing how sharks must be respected and protected from overhunting. I side more with the backmatter and appreciate the information on shark's role in the ocean's ecosystem, ways to help avoid shark encounters, and the rarity of death by shark attacks.
The sensationalism of the actual story seems to conflict with the message of the backmatter. The attacks solidified the dangers of sharks, but the fear and misunderstanding of sharks as vengeful killers has promoted the hunting of sharks.
Good fit for those looking for a scary shark story based on real events, but this version paints them in a very negative light. I prefer the original with its more balanced representation of sharks as able to do a lot of damage but unlikely to specifically seek out humans as prey.
A gripping true to life story of a horrific encounter with one of nature’s greats and largely misunderstood animals.
With his parents moving around the country trying to make it rich, ten-year-old Chet Roscow is spending the summer with his Uncle Jerry. Not much happens in the little New Jersey town and when not working in the diner Chet and his three new friends head to the small creek to cool off. The boys are not the only ones who enjoy the creek. One of nature’s most terrifying predators has found its way miles from home and Chet is about to come face-to-fafe with a blood-thirsty killer…
Lauren Tarshis’ best-selling I Survived story of the same name gets the graphic novel treatment that brings all of the thrilling drama and surprise of the shark attacks of 1916 in a small New Jersey town vividly to life. Whilst based on true events, this is a fictionalised historic retelling. That doesn’t detract from anything though and readers are immersed into an era, thanks to some super period artwork, when little was known about sharks. Tales of ocean encounters with the great ocean-dwellers came from sea-faring folk whose stories were perhaps elaborated upon for entertainment purposes. A rich gentleman who was so convinced that sharks would not attack went one step further, leaping into the ocean for a swim with some and offering up a reward for proof of a shark attack on a humans.
Fans of the original I Survived series and graphic novel lovers are in for an absolute treat of a read full of facts and historical detail all delivered via adrenaline-charged storytelling that will have pages being turned quicker than a shark can swim. Back matter includes a non-fiction section of historical facts, photos, information about sharks and further reading material that may be of interest.
A subplot to the shark attack explores the friendship of the four boys and how the playing of pranks leads to mistrust and puts everyone at danger when warnings are unheeded that have deadly consequences.
I was excited to see this series in graphic novel form. The story does move along quickly and being told through the eyes of Chet, a young boy who lives with his Uncle Jerry, I think young teens will be able to relate to Chet and his adventure. I thought the illustrations reflected the book’s time period without being overly done and they reminded me of some old comic books that I have seen. This story was easy to follow, contained a handful of characters, and the words on each page were kept at a minimum. I enjoyed this story and thought the illustrations went along with the story nicely. I’m glad that this series is being created into graphic novel format and I’m looking forward to reading more of them in the future.
A simple graphic adaptation of a book that I wasn't familiar with. This is a decent story told around the real event of some shark attacks in the American north east over a hundred years ago. The art is really basic and nothing too exciting but the story is pretty exciting and works. Would be enjoyed by kids too and hopefully wouldn't result in a fear of sharks. There is a section in the back that goes into details about how unlikely shark attacks are so it would be worth it to read for kids for more context.
I read this author's book I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 years ago. Loved it. Then I read the I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 in the I Survived True Stories with that story in it. Loved it, too. Now I see that there is the story in graphic novel form. So exciting with the illustrations and I loved this one too. I am an absolute fan of these stories, fiction and the true stories. I hope the author keeps putting them out.
i found another! this series is so engaging and interesting- i love the illustrators and what they've done with Lauren's original stories. this one in particular represented childhood friendship really well- so heartwarming
I'm not usually a fan of non-fiction. My son, however, LOVES it, especially if it's a graphic novel. So I've been reading some of his books to give us something to talk about. I really enjoy Lauren's writing and illustration. I had no idea these shark attacks even happened. So thanks for teaching me a few things!
I haven't read the original but the graphic novel was a fun albeit scary accounting of the shark attacks in New Jersey in 1916 as told by the boy who moved to the area, was tricked then played tricks on his friends, only to discover that there really was at least one shark up the river who attacked his friends, but he escaped with only minor injuries though the shark did attack and kill several others.
It's easy to follow and the story itself is a little "boy that cried wolf" and includes story elements to make it read like fiction, but also includes backmatter about the story itself not included in the graphic novel adaptation that inquiring minds would want to know.
The popular I SURVIVED series is a great way to get kids to read books about history (especially unusual historical events). This is a graphic novel version of the book by the same title.
I am fascinated by sharks and to read about a large one that found its way into a local creek was interesting. But no one believes the young boy when he runs back to town to let everyone know of the danger in the water. So he has to find someone to believe him -- maybe the old sea captain who survived a shark attack himself can help him convenience the townfolks.
An underlining story is that of the pranks that the boys play on the new boy in town. And his return prank is a very good one but doesn't go over well. So when the culprit needs people to believe his story about the shark -- they don't which almost costs one boy his life.
The graphic novel was good -- but I think I like the novel format better.
The story was alright but I’m not a fan of books like this that give sharks a bad rap. The back matter tells about how sharks aren’t that dangerous and for humans are more dangerous than sharks but the images and the descriptions of the sharks throughout the book feed into the dangerous shark myth.
Lauren Tarshis as always delivers a gripping true to life story that kids and adults alike can enjoy. I love the graphic novel remakes of her original series, as I believe they make more kids want to read.